GREAT NECK, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Parker Waichman Alonso LLP announces that they have filed a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline and its subsidiaries on behalf of a Texas man who was diagnosed with neuropathy attributed to his use of Super PoliGrip® denture adhesive cream. The lawsuit is the latest of several filed by Parker Waichman Alonso LLP on behalf of the victims of zinc-containing denture creams. The firm expects to file many more such lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline and other manufacturers of zinc-containing denture adhesives in the coming days.
"We suspect the poisoning from Super PoliGrip® and other zinc-containing denture adhesive creams is much more wide spread and continues to pose a significant health risk for a great many consumers," said David Krangle, an attorney with Parker Waichman Alonso LLP. "This is an important public health issue, which remains unaddressed."
According to this latest complaint, David Harlan Leonard, 60, received dentures many years ago, and has used Super PoliGrip®. Mr. Leonard stopped using the denture adhesive cream after he was diagnosed with neuropathy, excess zinc and copper depletion. He now suffers from profound and permanent physical injuries, which have left him unable to perform his normal, customary, and daily activities. The lawsuit alleges that these injuries and disabilities are a direct and proximate result of the defects in the Super PoliGrip® products used by Mr. Leonard, as well as negligence on the part of GlaxoSmithKline and its subsidiaries.
According to the complaint, Super PoliGrip® contains a form of zinc, which is bonded to an unknown formulation. A small amount of zinc is necessary for a balanced diet. However, being exposed to an excessive amount of zinc can result in copper depletion and serious negative adverse neurological effects. In August 2008, the peer reviewed journal “Neurology” reported on four patients suffering from neuropathy and other neurological symptoms typical of zinc poisoning and copper depletion. The article specifically linked excess zinc in Super PoliGrip® to “profound neurologic disease” in the patients reviewed.
Mr. Leonard's lawsuit, along with dozens of others, has been consolidated for centralized and coordinated pre-trial proceedings in the Denture Cream Products Liability Litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, before the Honorable Judge Cecilia Altonaga (MDL No. 2051). In an order filed on July 13, 2009, Judge Altonaga appointed Andres F. Alonso Esq., a partner with Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, as Co- Lead Counsel to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in the Denture Cream Products Liability Litigation. Discovery in the litigation is now underway and depositions are currently being scheduled.